Abstract: Brewing assemblies/machines and related brewing methods for brewed beverages, such as coffee and tea. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a brew chamber and a steam chamber, which is configured for fluid communication with the brew chamber and may be positioned below the brew chamber. The assembly may further comprise one or more valve assemblies, such as a valve assembly configured to operate between an open position in which fluid may pass between the brew chamber and the steam chamber and a closed position in which fluid is prevented from passing between the brew chamber and the steam chamber. In some embodiments, the valve assembly may be configured such that steam pressure within the steam chamber causes the valve assembly to enter the open position.

Abstract: A variable wash flow filter assembly includes guide that is operable to guide a wash velocity control cone between a minimal position and a maximum position. The guide defines at least one activation deltaP window downstream of a conical gap between the wash velocity control cone and a frusto-conical wash filter. The fuel flow through the conical gap and the activation deltaP window is operable to position the wash velocity control cone between the minimal position and maximum position to selectively split a fuel flow through an inlet into a burn flow through a thru flow port and a filtered flow thru the frusto-conical wash filter and filtered flow port.

Abstract: Holding tanks in an extremely simple vacuum-sewage system can provide high volume storage against emergencies such as vacuum pump failure, while providing under normal circumstances frequent, sudden, small-volume discharges in which any one holding tank discharge may trigger one or more others as in a cascade sequence, precluding conditions that might produce septic accumulations. Each holding tank has a float valve with a float that can be held on the respective valve seat, against buoyancy by sewage, by conventional vacuum pumping of the main. When vacuum in the main is degraded by use of a special valve or switch for the purpose or by holding tank discharge, holding tanks are selectively discharged as a result.

Abstract: An automatic dual-mode shipboard wastewater treatment system employing ozone for disinfection of the primary effluent. Solids are removed and pumped, for example, to the ship's boiler or other equipment for incineration, while the liquid waste is pumped through a series of ozone reactors and then to a holding tank from which it is discharged overboard, after accumulating to a predetermined level. The system operates continuously by recirculating the effluent, during low flow periods, between a second holding tank and the ozone reactors.

Abstract: An ion exchange apparatus having a plurality of channels or manifolds used for liquid distribution and collection purposes within an end of a container adjacent to an ion exchange resin bed can be improved by using a check valve permitting flow in one direction to all of the channels as the bed is being employed under "service" conditions to treat water and permitting flow in the opposite direction in less than all of the channels as the bed is being treated with a regenerant solution. Such use of less than all of such panels during the treatment of the bed with the regenerant solution makes it possible to achieve good distribution of a relatively small amount of the regenerant solution and to receive regeneration of the bed utilizing such a comparatively small amount of the regenerant solution.

Abstract: An economical and commercially practical reverse-osmosis water purifier system which has no back pressure acting against the semipermeable membrane, so that the filtering rate is maximized. Furthermore, the supply of tap water to the system is shut off automatically as soon as the pure water storage tank is full, use of water thus being greatly reduced. These, and other major advantages, are achieved despite the fact that there is only a single tube extending to the faucet, automatic ice-maker, refrigerated drinking fountain or other point of use.The system uses rugged, long-lasting and economical diaphragm valves, which eliminates the need for sliding seals. Thus, it becomes highly practical to injection-mold the valves of plastic.The long-standing major problem of plugging or fouling of the constricted outlet for waste water is eliminated at low cost and with very little use of water. What water is used provides not only cleaning of the constriction region but also a partial flushing of the filter membrane.